Fintech
for good.
Core was inspired by the Nobel Award winning Grameen Bank and the development banking pioneer Shorebank. Spun out from the Financial Health Network in 2009, we are reimagining economic development through the power of technology. As a traditional venture capital firm with the untraditional practice of measuring the positive externalities of our investments, we're helping to chart the future of capitalism.
OUR PORTFOLIO



We operate a world-class investment firm that delivers exceptional financial returns by creating transformative social impact at scale. To do so, we invest in innovative startups that help consumers and SMBs spend, save, borrow, and plan for a brighter future.
Through early stage (pre-seed, seed, Series A) investments in fintech and fintech-adjacent businesses, we deliver returns that benefit everyone — investors, portfolio companies, and most of all, their individual customers.
Founder Testimonials
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With its world class expert network, strong focus on financial inclusion and thoughtful approach, Core Innovation Capital is an investor every mission-driven Fintech company should bring onboard.
CYNTHIA CHEN
Co-founder & CEO, Kikoff -
Working with Core has been one of the great pleasures of my career. Their intensity for mission has been inspiring and a great fit for us. In addition, Core has been a phenomenal partner. I can’t give a stronger vote of confidence for a VC.
Jordan Wright
Co-founder & CEO, Atomic Financial -
We put a lot of effort into finding a capital partner that was truly mission-aligned and not just paying lip service to social impact. Core has always walked the walk, and that truly matters when I have hard decisions to make as a founder.
Atticus LeBlanc
Co-founder & CEO, Padsplit
Our Values
The core principles that guide us forward.
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Intrepid Investors
We make bold bets that will reinvent financial empowerment.
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Alignment Ambassadors
We back the most mission driven companies whose financial success aligns with creating value for their customers.
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Collaborative Colleagues
We are collaborative, low ego, and always willing to share our time, networks, and knowledge without quid pro quo.
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Compassionate Confidants
We are empathetic while direct, and engage others with integrity and confidentiality.
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Perpetual Pupils
We are always willing to change our minds, learn from our mistakes, and embrace new ideas.
Building transformative
financial products together.
OUR PORTFOLIO
Latest perspectives
and insights.

Back to the Fintech Future. Reflections on “Fintech for Good” today versus 15 years ago
On August 1st, I joined Core Innovation Capital as a General Partner following six years…
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The Opportunity for U.S. Fintech is by No Means Over. In Fact, It’s Just Beginning.
Have no doubt, the intersection of finance and technology in the U.S. will keep evolving…
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Core’s Impact Measurement, Open Sourced.
Since our inception in 2010, we have measured both our financial returns and our mission….
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Pioneering Fintech Firm Core VC Announces New Partners
Los Angeles, CA, August 2, 2023 — Core Innovation Capital, a fintech venture capital firm…
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Fintech gets SaaSy
At Core Innovation Capital, we focus on aligning profit margins with customer impact as we…
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Rates up, fintech down. Is it actually that simple?
After spending the start of my career as an interest rates trader at Morgan Stanley…
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How Missionary Are You … Actually?
Every startup appears on some grand social (or environmental) mission these days. And in fintech,…
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Mercenary Impact
The Core team has long said that while we respect shrewd mercenaries as well as tree-hugging missionaries, we…
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DeFi in Traditional Finance is Essential, not an Oxymoron (Part II)
Author: David Roos We are at a turning point in finance. High engagement and technological…
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A Case For Why Government Should Mandate Lifetime Basic Income (But Won’t)
About 100 years ago, the government started making auto insurance mandatory. But it took 50…
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DeFi in Traditional Finance is Essential, not an Oxymoron
When my grandma started asking me how to buy bitcoin and my little cousin showed…
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Time to Retire Defined Contributions?
By 2035, for the first time in American history, the number of older adults will…
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From Redlining to Black Fintech
We recently issued a challenge to the fintech community to think outside the box and align the…
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Cracking CAC
“The CIP section of the KYC policy was criticized by the FDIC as inconsistent with…
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More Money, Fewer Problems
About a month ago, two Black-owned banks merged, making the combined institution, City First Bank,…
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Core’s North Star
Core was originally inspired by microlending in the developing world and in anger at the…
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Christmas in February
When it comes to Christmas, our daughter creates a Google Sheet with over a hundred…
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Make America (Financially) Healthy Again
Is Affirm ground zero of financial health? After all, they take pains to align with…
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